Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Although 80,000 houses were built last year, there has been a poor response to the need for social and affordable housing. Nothing the Minister of State has said indicates his intention to change his policy. Will he change the size of the footprint of a housing site? In some cases five or more dwellings are being built on small sites of less than 0.1 of a hectare. These developments are not affected by Part V, even when they are on zoned lands. Will the Minister of State change this regulation?

Will he review the income limits for local authority loans so that people can take greater loans from local authorities? Much affordable housing, particularly apartments, are very small. Some are so small one could not swing a cat in them. Affordable dwellings are often smaller and less attractive than other housing units in the same development.

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